THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Vivekananda Express will roll into Thiruvananthapuram Central on July 3 and will be here till July 5, providing citizens of Thiruvananthapuram a unique opportunity to know about Vivekananda and his illustrious life. The train, flagged off by former Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on January 12 from Howrah, has travelled across the country and currently rests in Madurai. The train will be open to visitors from 10 am to 5 pm. The train is a special gesture by Indian Railways to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda and celebrate the intellectual and spiritual tradition of India. The Air-Conditioned coaches of the special train will exhibit photographs and writings of Vivekananda and propagate his teachings and philosophy. The museum-cum-exhibition features a book stall as well as several sections of exhibition items. Photographs of Vivekananda right from his childhood, his historic speech in Chicago, his travels and work in India are on show. The Ramakrishna Math is closely associated with organising and facilitating the Vivekananda Express and the Thiruvananthapuram branch of the Math has swung into action to ensure that as many people from the city can gain access to the special train. Addressing a press conference, Swami Prashantha, president of Ramakrishna Math here, said that Vivekananda’s teachings and philosophy were not of religious nature. ‘’They are not even of nationalistic nature. Vivekananda’s philosophy belongs to the world and we hope the city will show enthusiasm to imbibe his teachings. The Ramakrishna Math was set up by Vivekananda to spread his message and the exhibition follows the story of the growth of the Math into a spiritual and educational institution,’’ he said.
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